Chapter 10. Bronya's Hands Itch Unbearably
"Phew, I'm so sleepy.
Seele, let me lean on you for a bit~"
On the morning walk to school, Xander yawned and pressed his seventy-plus kilograms of weight onto Seele's small shoulders.
Those shoulders looked so slender, yet even with Xander leaning on her, they didn't wobble at all, and she kept walking steadily forward.
"Brother, I told you not to stay up late."
Seeing her brother's tired expression, Seele's eyes held a trace of both heartache and reproach.
"Ah, well… I did some market research last night, so I went to bed a little late."
He wrapped both arms around Seele's neck.
The tip of his nose naturally brushed against the ends of her hair, and with his eyes closed he inhaled the fresh scent where girl and shampoo mingled.
His hand that had fallen to his side was gently taken by Seele's soft little hand.
His warm breath blew over Seele's earlobe, making her cheeks feel a bit feverish.
"Don't talk about staying up late to play games like it's something praiseworthy!"
Compared to Xander, Bronya looked positively full of energy now.
Two months of effort had swept away her slump.
Not only had her confidence returned, but her spirits had visibly improved lately, her cheeks rosy and radiant.
Frowning a little at the scene before her, she reached out and gave Seele's shoulder a light tug, drawing the girl to her own side.
"Walk properly, and don't bully Seele."
But before Xander could reply, Bronya saw Seele glance back at her, those little eyes tinged with faint displeasure, as if to say, "I advise you not to meddle."
Thoughts flashed through her mind, and Bronya instantly understood the crux of it, her expression turning helpless.
Her arm fell.
A faint, sulky grievance gathered in her palm, and she brought it down on Seele's butt with force.
Along with the girl's yelp, a crisp sound rang out on the street.
"Bronya…"
Seele had wanted to scold her loudly, but the moment she met Bronya's calm gaze, the courage she had just mustered shrank away at once.
She caved, mumbling in a small, wronged voice.
Seeing Seele yield, Bronya let out a soft "hmph," then cast Xander a sidelong glance, a shade of pity in her eyes.
A certain someone had always thought himself the hunter and the one before him a cute little white rabbit to be hunted at will.
But Bronya knew that his overstepping had unknowingly opened Pandora's box.
Hunter and prey had quietly switched places.
Xander, for his part, closed his eyes and played dead.
From long experience, if a matter between two girls didn't involve him, he absolutely must not jump out rashly.
Otherwise, odds were he'd be the one to get hurt in the end.
The stretch of road they shared was short.
Before long, it was time to part ways, and Xander had to reluctantly let go of the soft, fragrant Seele.
"Stop looking.
She's already far away."
Seele, who kept glancing back, was walking so slowly that Bronya had to stop and wait for her.
"Eh? I—I wasn't really looking.
I was just a little worried Brother might run into danger on the way to school…"
Mm.
That flimsy excuse clearly hadn't been thought through.
Even Seele felt embarrassed after saying it, turning her head aside.
Casting a helpless glance at her hopeless little sister, Bronya sighed.
"Rather than worrying he'll run into danger, think about what you'll do if a pretty girl steals his heart."
No sooner had she said it than Bronya felt a pair of very bouncy spheres bump into her chest.
Seele had hurried up to her, looking a bit anxious.
"Will Brother… be stolen?"
A thin mist rose over those big sky-blue eyes, brimming with worry, and her cute face was full of nervousness.
"No.
I was teasing you."
Bronya lifted a hand and twisted Seele's chubby little cheeks, finding it a bit funny.
"Dummy.
Have some confidence in yourself.
Look at that guy—other than you, has he ever really cared about any other girl?"
Seele didn't break free of Bronya's "claws."
Her voice came out a little muffled.
"You, Bronya…"
"..."
Smack.
Seele's butt took another slap.
…
Two days later, Xander received messages from the music studio and a reply from Elysia at almost the same time.
"Music production has been completed.
The files have been sent to your mailbox."
The studio, of course, used a strictly businesslike tone, while Elysia's reply was playfully jaunty.
"Hehe, this is one of my proud works!
Post-production was done by Eden's dedicated team.
Hurry and listen~"
A complete set of audio files was attached to the message.
Holding out until school ended, Xander rushed straight home.
He barely had time for the apron-clad Seele greeting him at the door, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before dashing to the studio, leaving Seele blushing and confused in the entryway.
Player on.
Original soundtrack, start!
As soon as it began, piano notes like a clear spring rang out.
He slowly closed his eyes, intoxicated by the beautiful melody.
Very soon, the piece ended, and excitement filled Xander's eyes as he opened them.
As for his judgment on this piece, he could only say it was good—too good—far beyond his expectations.
As expected of Elysia.
As expected of Eden's professional team.
They had raised the emotional power of the whole song by several levels.
He didn't dare imagine how many tissues this game would burn through with this music.
Then he listened through the rest of the tracks as well.
Almost every one met his requirements.
With that, the last piece of the puzzle for his game finally fell into place.
With that thought, he dove straight into work.
Tonight, he had to witness the birth of the finished product!
The hour hand turned round and round.
Only when the bright moon hung high and stars filled the sky did Xander stop, stretching long.
His mood was still surging.
Staring at the game screen on the monitor, he couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of his lips.
His first game, in the truest sense, in this world—at this moment, it was finally complete!
He glanced toward the windowsill.
He didn't need to check the time.
One look at the inky night outside told him it was already very late.
Once he relaxed after focusing for so long, all the fatigue in his body broke out at once.
His stomach, especially, which hadn't had dinner, was grumbling in protest by now.
So tired.
So hungry.
Hunger drove his body to go downstairs to find something to eat.
Why hadn't Seele called him for dinner today?
Or had she called and he just didn't hear?
With stray thoughts tumbling about, he quickly went down the stairs.
He had barely taken two steps toward the kitchen when a faint aroma of food reached his nose.
"Hm?"
Following the scent, he noticed a complete dinner set on the dining table—rice, two plates of stir-fry, and a bowl of soup.
Homestyle yet plentiful.
Judging by the look of it, though, the meal had gone mostly cold.
Taking another step forward, he suddenly spotted a "little bundle" curled up on the sofa.
Looking closely, it was Seele lying there, body curled up, already asleep.
Putting this together with the dishes on the table, everything fell into place.
Seele must have been waiting for him the whole time.
Enjoyed the story? Support me and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at: Patr*eon*.com/Resium
Free members can read 10+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Paid member can read 150+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Stories Available
Honkai? No, This Is Daily Life
Hogwarts Pet Master
Pokémon: Who Let Him Leave Pallet Town!
Scrolling Yu-Gi-Oh! Shorts